River locust just wants to grow! This special shrub is considered a native plant in certain parts of the United States.
This plant is happy in a variety of soil types, dryish or wet, and in sunny or shady conditions. Part of its adaptability is due to its ability to take nitrogen right out of the air! This allows it to get established easily without much fertility. This extra nitrogen can be used by other plants as well, as river locust can be pruned and the pruning can be used as a mulch around other plants.
River locust has wonderfully complex purple-orange flowers. These are attractive to a number of pollinators. Grows quickly after year one if happy.
Growth Parameters:
Expect a full size multi-stem shrub, up to about 12 feet. River locust does great in part shade, it will grow slower but you’ll be surprised how well it will still grow. Can be pruned as a small tree, a more shrubby bush, or even coppiced to manage size and refresh.
